You’re off to college. The packing process can be difficult, but one thing you shouldn’t dither about is the need for a good backpack. Disagree? Think about it. Maybe you have a car, but on most campuses the parking areas are not close to classrooms so you will end up humping your stuff around all day anyway. Even if you live on campus, you’ll probably leave the dorm in the morning and not return until the end of the day. So what are the critical features of a good college backpack?
• Style: I don’t mean fashion. If you are going to be riding a bike or skating to get around, you need to be able to stabilize the load with a good waist strap. This will also help to keep the weight off your shoulders if you carry a big load. Or maybe you would prefer a bicycle-messenger style shoulder pack? Make sure it also has a waist strap for when you need to minimize swing.
• Features: If you are going to be carrying a laptop, you need a padded sleeve so the delicate electronics aren’t the first thing that contacts the sidewalk every time you set the bag down. Designers can get out of control with accessory pockets and straps that weight the pack down unnecessarily, but at least one small pocket for small items like keys, pens, flash drives, etc. is handy. If you will be carrying awkward items like tripods, mailing tubes, etc. you’ll need some exterior straps: compression straps along the pack sides are more stable for long, thin objects than straps across the back.
• Durability: Books are heavy and it doesn’t do to have your goodies spilling out unexpectedly all over the tarmac. In the store, try pulling firmly against seams and straps. If you hear any popping of stitches, look elsewhere. Campus is not a great place for ultra-light gear. Get a pack made with solid Cordura fabric, perhaps with a reinforced bottom.
• Cost: Unfortunately, campus is about the best place in a city to have things pilfered or ripped off. So keep your bag always in your hand and try not to spend too much money on it, just in case it needs replacing soon. You might want to look for a used backpack on E-bay, Craig’s List or at a local outdoors shop that does consignments.
• Other uses: Are you an outdoorsy type who will need a pack for your rare days off? Include the features you require for your sport of choice, which will probably include compression straps, a hydration bladder pocket and tube access.